the National Assembly Elections, he will state if Government proposes to amend the legislation 29 aiming at…
(No. B/902) Mr F. Quirin (Third Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the National Assembly Elections, he will state if Government proposes to amend the legislation 29 aiming at allowing Mauritian nationals living abroad the right to vote therefor and, if so, give details thereof and, if not, why not.
Madam Speaker, I wish to refer the hon. Member to the reply I made to PQ B/816 on 07 October 2025. As I had indicated then, Government is currently working on the setting up of a Constitutional Review Commission tasked to come up with the recommendations on several constitutional, electoral and governance reforms, which will include among others, the revision of our electoral system to better reflect the will of the people, to also look at the way elections have been run, especially by the MSM, and also to revitalise our democratic principles. The question of bringing legislative amendments to allow Mauritian nationals living abroad to vote, I am all for it, but it has wide-ranging implications. These will be examined by the Constitutional Review Commission that will be set up shortly.
Madame la présidente, l’honorable Premier ministre peut-il indiquer à la Chambre si à l’heure actuelle son bureau dispose de données sur le nombre de Mauriciens vivant à l’étranger qui pourraient être éligibles à voter ?
As I said, the wide implications. We are looking at it but in some countries, it is going to be very difficult, I must say straightaway. We already know this. In some countries, it would be very, very difficult to organise. In other countries, not so. So, we will be looking at all this.
He wanted to know if you have figures, which I doubt.
No.
You don’t? He does not.
… some figures.
Mais, dans ce cas-là, êtes-vous disposé, M. le Premier ministre, à procéder à un recensement ?
No, I should have replied to this. No, we are looking at the figures. In some countries, it is even difficult to get the figures. This is why we do not have the total number.
Some people have double nationality. That is why it is complicated to actually find out but very interesting issue.
30 Anyway, next question from hon. Lobine! SYNTHETIC DRUGS – ILLEGAL USE & TRAFFICKING – CANNABIS DEPENALISATION PLAN